Using your SmartPhone to unlock your door could be a reality very soon - if it isn't already!
We predicted many years ago that metal keys may be driven out by digital keys, and over the past few years we have seen it happen in drips and drabs.. But it's here, it's convenient, and it's SMART.
According to technology research giant Gartner, the use of smartphones for businesses to lock and unlock doors could rise to 20% in the next three years alone! This over-taking of the traditional metal key by more advanced digital measures was our prediction many years ago and it is quickly becoming a reality - and although the UK has not taken this on as quickly as our friends 'over the pond' in the US until more recently, it's here, it's stable, and it's increasing in popularity!
LocksOnline first started selling mobile-phone based door entry systems back in 2009, making clever use of the mobile GSM networks for GSM door entry systems to allow you to unlock your doors simply by calling or texting the switch, which if done from a 'whitelisted' phone number, would trigger the electronic lock on the door to unlock to allow access. This clever idea of unlocking your front door with your mobile phone was the perfect solution for many, and we saw great success with the introduction of this simple yet highly effective solution. The system would allow a whole list of registered numbers, which made it ideal for businesses and community buildings to allow access to staff and members, without handing out keys - and more importantly, allowing them to be taken off the whitelist in the event they should no longer be allowed access. This system worked flawlessly for many customers and has been integrated in business, homes and other buildings all over the UK - even quite a few churches made good use of these!
Times have changed though, and with the UK adopting the SmartPhone lifestyle like never before, the concept of using your phone to unlock doors is not unreasonable - and would allow us all to finally get rid of those overloaded keychains!
According to Ofcom reports, over 70% of adults in the UK now own a smartphone. Which, when you consider that this includes the older generation, is a massive statistic which really demonstrates not just how feasible it is to convert to 'Smart Locks', but indeed how much sense it would make from a practical point of view.
Why not use your phone as a front door key?
With Apple and Android now both offering over-the-air payment processing (Apple Pay and Android Pay), and banks already allowing us to control our finances via online banking apps on our phones, this demonstrates how everything is moving towards the end goal of having complete control of your own life through one portable medium - your smartphone!
So if you can do all this from a singular device which is with you all hours of the day anyway (be it in your hand, on your desk, or in your pocket), why not take control of your security in the same way? No more lost keys, and with that comes a lot of extra functionality we'll all be glad of..
Did I lock the door before I left the house?
This is a dreaded and heart-sinking moment. You've left for work - or worse, you've gone on holiday! You don't remember locking your door. It's an anxious moment, and it's not long before panic sets in. Not any more! Just check your smartphone.
What time did my son come home last night?
Trusting the kids can be hard at times - we know that. If you can, do, and if you do, good on you! But the reality is we all want to know that our trust isn't being violated, and that the house rules are being adhered to! No problem - just check your smartphone! One of the key elements of digital access devices is the ability to have an audited trail of who has gained access and when!
The possibilities with digital locks over traditional mechanical locks are endless. And for this reason alone, we believe that smart locks and other digital access control solutions will occupy a large portion of the future of security for both domestic and commercial properties. Just watch this space!
If you have any questions or queries on what technology is currently available, then get in touch! We've already introduced a wide range of customers to the latest in technology with security in mind.
